One of the best parts of my job is getting to work with some incredible people at Virginia State Parks. As we focus on Westmoreland State Park as the park of the month for November, it would be very hard to do that without talking about the amazing staff that helps to make this park such a gem!  

Park Manager Ken Benson

So I turn to their leader, so to speak, Ken Benson

Ken came to us a few years ago as the new park manager. As part of his acclamation to the area I decided to take him around to meet some of the people at several of the local attractions and businesses. Funny thing was he had only been in the area a few weeks and they had already met him, and knew him like an old friend!  And that is Ken.

Ken surveying the damage from Hurricane Irene

It wasn’t long after that Ken received and “initiation” in a devastating and different way. Hurricane Irene meets Ken Benson!

Before Ken had even completed his first year at Westmoreland disaster struck in the form of a tropical cyclone with wind speeds of 120 mph and a storm surge of over 4 feet! This happened shortly after new upgrades and renovations had been made to the park. The park was looking fabulous until Irene paid us a visit!  Very sad for those of us that love that park so much.  Ken handled it well and after the initial shock, got the staff to work immediately making Westmoreland State Park even better than before. 

Ken with his boys on the beach

Ken makes his home in Westmoreland County with his lovely wife and two very energetic and smart boys. It is a true joy to see their children at play in the park enjoying all the wonder filled things nature has to offer. 

Ken had become a very intricate part of the community and respected by everyone he meets. We are so very glad he came to Westmoreland State Park!

Shoreline view of Westmoreland State Park and Stratford Hall

When I asked him about what he likes about living here he said, “I love the Northern Neck, the pace of life and the people. It seems that people here work to live instead of live to work and that’s probably how it should be everywhere. One of the most unique and enriching parts of life here is the mixture of agriculture and commercial fishing. Two of the oldest industries known to history and both of them are family driven which is, I’m sure, what has created that special sense of place. 

Westmoreland State Park is not only poised perfectly to capture that but also features an incredible history of its own with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Couple that with the location between George Washington Birthplace National Monument and Stratford Hall and you could not find a better recipe for an important natural venue.

I like to tell my kids when they complain about the well water that they are drinking, it’s the same water that George Washington, James Madison and Robert E. Lee drank, and look what it did for them?”

Westmoreland State Park staff at Warsaw Fest where they won an award for best float!

I know that Ken is very proud of the staff and volunteers at Westmoreland State Park in all that they do to make the park such a great place. In fact he was instrumental in starting the Friends of Westmoreland State Park that have been a great citizen's support organization for the park and programs. If you would like to join the Friends, please call the park for more information.

Rainbow over the Potomac River

Cabins, camping, overnight accommodations, events and programs; Westmoreland State Park is the perfect place to spend the day, a few nights or even a week! Learb more here.

Westmoreland State Park is located at 145 Cliff Road in Montross, Va. 22520. Park Phone: (804) 4983-8821 or email us here. We look forward to your visit!